Research Issues (RM P2)

Question 1

What are demand characteristics?

Answer 1

Pp changing their behaviour to meet the aim of the investigation

Question 2

What are investigator effects?

Answer 2

Effect of the investigator’s behaviour (conscious or unconscious) on the research outcome

Question 3

What is a single blind design?

Answer 3

Pp is unaware of the research aims of an investigation

Question 4

What is a double blind design?

Answer 4

Neither pp nor researcher are aware of the research aims of the investigation

Question 5

What is a control group?

Answer 5

• A group of pps who do not undergo a change in IV condition
• Used as a baseline behaviour measure

Question 6

What is a confederate?

Answer 6

• Individual in a study that is not a real pp
• Has been instructed by researcher on how to behave

Question 7

Why is random allocation to conditions important?

Answer 7

• Technique used to reduce pp variables
• Each pp has the same chance of being in any condition

Question 8

What is randomisation?

Answer 8

Use of chance methods to control for materials and deciding the order of conditions

Question 9

What is standardisation?

Answer 9

Using the same standardised procedures and instructions for all pp in a study (to avoid investigator effects)

Question 10

What is a pilot study?

Answer 10

Small scale trial run to check procedures and instructions for all pps in a study to make any necessary changes before the real study

Question 11

Why are pilot studies carried out?

Answer 11

• In order to make any changes that may need to be made before the real study takes place
• So you don’t spend a lot of time/ money in resources on something that is invalid